The 1938 Auckland Rugby League season was its 30th. Marist Old Boys won their 3rd first grade title with their previous coming in 1924 and 1931.

Richmond Rovers won the Roope Rooster for the 5th time when they beat City Rovers 20–8 in the final. City had not won a trophy since 1925 but had been boosted mid season by the addition of Bob Banham who the Auckland Rugby League had brought over from Australia as a player coach. Richmond also won the Stormont Shield for the 4th time when they defeated Marist Old Boys 9–8. Eastern Suburbs (NSWRL runner up) toured at the end of the season and Richmond were the only team to beat them when they won 11–9. Eastern Suburbs beat Marist (36-15), Manukau (16-7) and a South Auckland (Waikato) team (17-5).

Manukau, who were coached by former Kiwi Bert Laing won the Phelan Shield for the first time after they beat Papakura18-8 in the final. The Phelan Shield at this time was played for by the teams which had been knocked out of the Roope Rooster. Richmond Rovers won the reserve grade competition (Norton Cup) after they were tied with Mount Albert United after the final round and a final was necessary to decide the champion. Richmond won the match 16–10. They also won the Stallard Cup when they won the reserve grade knockout competition beating Marist 18–7 in the final. The Senior B competition (Sharman Cup) was comfortably won by Otahuhu Rovers who finished 5 competition points ahead of Green Lane. Ellerslie United won the Walmesley Shield which was the senior B knockout competition although this season it was played over 2 full rounds.

Claude Dempsey, the Newton fullback, and former NZ international player was awarded the J.F.W. Dickson's medal for being the most sportsmanlike player in the senior grade. Junior awards went to J. Means and J. McWilliams.^[1]

The representative season saw Auckland play three matches. They defeated a Rest of the North Island side easily by 67 points to 14. They then beat the returning New Zealand team which had toured Australia by 21 points to 13. Then in August they defeated Canterbury 28–22 at Carlaw Park. The North Island team which beat the South Island was dominated by Auckland players with only Joe Cootes (Wellington) being from outside Auckland. They thrashed the South Island 55 points to 2. Unsurprisingly 18 of the New Zealand team selected to tour Australia were Auckland players. The Auckland Māori team played just one match which was against an Auckland Pākehā side and ran out 26 to 21 winners.

Auckland Rugby League meeting and news

Richmond club rooms opened at Grey Lynn Park

The modern day Richmond Rovers RL club rooms in the same location as the original 1938 club rooms.

In early May the Richmond club applied to celebrate the opening of their clubrooms at Grey Lynn Park on June 4 by holding a match with South Auckland on its bye date.^[23] On June 4 they were officially opened by Mr. J.A. Lee prior to a game against a combined team from Huntly. Lee said "this is going to be a permanent home, and it is an object worthy of the highest praise". While Joe Sayegh said that the Richmond club had "done yeoman service in the interests of the players. He was pleased to say that the City Council was only too pleased to encourage similar buildings on other public properties". Mr. Swift expressed the club's thanks to Mr. Ralph Jenkinson who supervised the building construction.^[24][25]

	4 June	Richmond	11-23	Huntly	Grey Lynn Park
	3:00	Try: Metcalfe Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell 3	[25]	Try: Turner 2, Beadle, Moyes, Gunn Con: Moyes, Shaw 2 Pen: Shaw

Lawson Park developed

Lawson Park in July 2021. The upper and lower fields with the 'grandstand' bank. In the background is the New Lynn RL club rooms.

It was announced in mid March that Lawson Park would be developed. It would involve "earthworks of which will take from four to five months to complete. After this stage both areas have to be grassed and other finishing touches added". It had been started four years earlier "as a means of creating work in the district for the local unemployed, but was halted when sustenance was introduced. Some months ago work was recommenced, giving work for 20 men. When it is finished, it will provide two basketball [better known as netball at this time] and two tennis courts on a higher level, and on the lower part a rugby or rugby league football ground". It was said that "to provide for the football ground, a good deal of excavation will be necessary, so that ultimately a fine, natural grandstand will be secured".^[26] Twenty nine years later, in 1967 the New Lynn Rugby League club was established and Lawson Park became its home ground with their club rooms being built there.

Senior first grade competitions

Fox Memorial results

Marist won the competition when they defeated Newton in the final round. Had they lost there would have been a three-way tie for first with themselves, Mount Albert, and Newton all on 22 points from 11 wins each but their 10–7 win saw them outright winners with 12 wins and 4 losses. A key to their win was their defence which saw them only concede 121 points from 16 games, an average of less than 8 points per game. From round 7 until round 18 their points conceded was 8, 7, 2, 4, 3, 8, 0, 0, 4, 11, and 7.

Round 1

Papakura played in their first ever Fox Memorial game in round 1. They lost a close match 17–14 against Richmond. In the match between Newton and Manukau the referee (J. Cottingham) was knocked out after a ball which had been kicked struck him in the face from point blank range. Percy Rogers who was waiting to referee the following match took over and refereed the last 10 minutes.^[38][39] Rangi Chase was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury.^[40]

	9 April	Mount Albert	18-16	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Des Herring 2, Martin Hanson, Len Schultz Con: Ted Mincham 2 Pen: Ted Mincham	[41]	Try: Brian Riley, Edgar Morgan, Cootes Con: Pat Young Drop: D Black	Referee: Stuart Billman

	9 April	Marist	23-7	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Reginald Haslam 2, F McLaren 2, Phil Donovan Con: John Anderson Pen: John Anderson 2 Drop: Reginald Haslam	[41]	Try: Ivor Stirling Pen: Jack Smith 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	9 April	Richmond	17-14	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Wally Tittleton, Jack Satherley, Laurie Mills Con: Frank Furnell 3 Pen: Frank Furnell	[41]	Try: D Evans, A Burgess Con: Thomas Kelly Pen: Thomas Kelly 2, J McInnes	Referee: Percy Rogers

	9 April	Newton	19-8	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Wilfred Brimble, A Duncan, A Nathan Con: Wilfred Brimble Pen: Wilfred Brimble 3	[41]	Try: Zane, Tom Chase Con: Tom Chase	Referee: J Cottingham

Round 2

	16 April	Richmond	18-13	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack McLeod 2, Merv Devine, Wally Tittleton Con: Frank Furnell 2, George Tittleton	[42]	Try: Pat Young, C McNeil, Edgar Morgan Con: D Black Pen: Walter Stockley	Referee: Frank Thompson

	16 April	Mount Albert	25-18	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Clarry McNeil 2, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Basil Cranch Con: Basil Cranch, Ted Mincham 3 Pen: Ted Mincham	[43]	Try: Bill McNeight, Ted Brimble, Wilfred Brimble, Donald Fraser Con: Wilfred Brimble 2 Pen: Hill	Referee: Percy Rogers

	16 April	Manukau	26-21	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Tom Chase 2, Jack Brodrick 2, Walter Brimble, Jack Hemi Con: Jack Hemi 4	[44]	Try: Len Scott, Bob Banham, A Sowter Con: Jack Smith 3 Pen: Jack Smith 2, Dick Smith	Referee: Stuart Billman

	16 April	City	23-18	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: G McCarthy 3, J Hutchinson, Ryan Con: J Hutchinson 3, Cyril Wiberg	[45]	Try: John Fogarty 2, Craig Smith, Richard Burgess Con: Thomas Kelly, J McInnes Pen: J McInnes	Referee: T McIntosh

Round 3

Three players were sent off in the Manukau-Marist match as a result of an "on field incident". Jack Whye of Manukau was suspended for a week, J Breed of Marist was "severely reprimanded", while W Glover also of Marist was unable to attend the disciplinary hearing and was ordered to stand down until able to attend.^[46] In the match between City and Ponsonby, D Black of Ponsonby broke his knee cap and was ruled out for the season. They also lost P Young, and Frank Halloran to injuries during the match. They had previously lost former Kiwi Arthur Kay to a leg injury in an earlier match.^[47]

	23 April	Manukau	18-4	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: R Wilson 2, Jack Brodrick, Peter Mahima Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi	[48]	Pen: John Anderson 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	23 April	North Shore	15-11	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Ted Scott, Horace Hunt, Len Scott Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith 2	[49]	Try: Des Herring, Len Schultz, Basil Cranch Pen: Des Herring	Referee: Percy Rogers

	23 April	Newton	8-7	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Ginders, R Taylor Pen: Wilfred Brimble	[50]	Try: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: Stuart Billman

	23 April	City	24-16	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: H McCarthy 2, G McCarthy, Cyril Wyberg Con: Jackie Rata 3 Pen: Jackie Rata 3	[51]	Try: McNeil 2, Brian Riley, Petersen Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: O Chalmers

Round 4

Arthur McInnarney

Richmond defeated North Shore after a late try awarded after an obstruction. However the referee allowed the ball carrier to run behind the posts with the conversion taken from in front. The rules stated that the kick should have been taken from inline with where the obstruction occurred. The league ordered the match to be replayed if required later in the season. As it turned out the match did not need to be replayed as it would have no bearing on the championship.^[52] Bob Banham had to retire during the match after receiving a cut above the eye after colliding with an opponent which required three stitches.^[53] Arthur McInnarney scored his first senior points for Mt Albert. He would be selected for New Zealand in 1939.

	30 April	Richmond	20-19*	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Noel Bickerton, Harold Tetley, Laurie Mills, George Tittleton Con: Frank Furnell 4	[54]	Try: George Zane-Zaninovich, Ted Scott, McIntosh Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith 4	Referee: Stuart Billman

	30 April	Mount Albert	18-13	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Len Schultz, Ted Mincham, Jack Tristram, Arthur McInnarney Con: Ted Mincham 2, Bert Leatherbarrow	[55]	Try: McLaren Con: John Anderson Pen: John Anderson 4	Referee: O Chalmers

	30 April	Newton	28-11	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Donald Fraser, W.B. McKenzie 2, John Ginders, Bill McNeight, A Duncan Con: A Duncan, Wilfred Brimble 3 Pen: Hill	[56]	Try: Herbert Thompson Con: J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Roy Otto

	30 April	Ponsonby	19-13	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Petersen, Jack Campbell 2, Clarrie McNeil 2 Con: D Schroeder, Roy Nurse	[57]	Try: G Osborne Pen: J McInnes 5	Referee: G Kelly

Round 5

	7 May	Manukau	17-9	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Walter Brimble, R Wilson, Jack Brodrick Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi 2	[58]	Try: Des Herring Pen: Ted Mincham 3	Referee: Percy Rogers

	7 May	Richmond	13-8	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Lyndsay Jack, Alf Broadhead, Merv Devine Con: Frank Furnell 2	[59]	Try: Gordon Midgley 2 Con: John Anderson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	7 May	Newton	34-17	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Ted Brimble 2, John Ginders 2, R Taylor, Bill McNeight, W McKenzie, Claude Dempsey Con: Wilfred Brimble 4, A Duncan	[60]	Try: John Fogarty, C Ross, J McInnes Pen: J McInnes 4	Referee: Frank Thompson

	7 May	North Shore	24-16	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Bennetts 2, Dick Smith 2, Verdun Scott, Ted Scott Con: Jack Smith 2 Pen: Jack Smith	[61]	Try: Joseph Hapi, Leslie Wehner Con: Jackie Rata Pen: Jackie Rata 4	Referee: A Kinnaird

Round 6

A highlight of the round was the debut appearance of George Nepia for Manukau in their win over Richmond. It was said that he had a "sound game" but did not look match fit. Pita Ririnui was sent off for Manukau and Alf Broadhead for Richmond near the end of the game for fighting. They were both severely cautioned by the control board with Broadhead warned that a similar offence would be dealt with more severely.^[62] Also during the match Jack Brodrick went off to have a dislocated finger attended to. When he came back on he found that he had been replaced and so referee Maurice Wetherill made him leave the field once more.^[63] A notable feature in the North Shore – Papakura game was that a total of 10 penalty goals were kicked. The goal kicking in the senior grade was arguably the strongest it has ever been with John Anderson, Jack Hemi, Jack Smith, and J McInnes kicking a large number of goals most weeks.

	14 May	Manukau	18-16	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Pita Ririnui, Rangi Chase 2, Freddie McGuire Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi	[64]	Try: Merv Devine, Wally Tittleton, Alf Broadhead, Roy Powell Con: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	14 May	Ponsonby	10-9	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Arthur Kay, Brian Riley Pen: Blackman 2	[65]	Try: Bill McNeight Pen: A Duncan 2, Wilfred Brimble	Referee: Frank Thompson

	14 May	Marist	45-11	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Anderson 2, J Woods 2, Gordon Midgley 3, Robert Grotte 2, Halsey, Griffin Con: John Anderson 6	[66]	Try: Ryan Con: J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Percy Rogers

	14 May	North Shore	20-15	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Ted Scott, Bob Banham Con: Jack Smith 2 Pen: Jack Smith 5	[67]	Try: G Osborne Con: J McInnes Pen: J McInnes 5	Referee: T Evans

Round 7

New Zealand representatives, Jack and Dick Smith were both absent for North Shore after their father passed away during the week. Bob Banham had been moved by the Auckland Rugby League from the North Shore club to City Rovers where he played for the remainder of the season.

	28 May	Richmond	29-7	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park
	3:00	Try: George Tittleton 2, Noel Bickerton, Harold Tetley, Laurie Mills, Jack Satherley, Alf Broadhead Con: George Tittleton 2, Frank Furnell Pen: Trevor Bramley	[68]	Try: Joseph Gunning Con: Ted Mincham Pen: Des Herring	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	28 May	Manukau	23-19	City	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Wilson 2, Peter Mahima, Jack Broughton, Angus Gault Con: Jack Hemi 4	[69]	Try: Ryan 2, Arnold Porteous 2, Leslie Wehner Con: J Hutchinson 2	Referee: G Kelly

	28 May	Marist	11-8	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Bill Breed, Clive Murdoch, Robert Grotte Con: Clive Murdoch	[70]	Try: D Buchanan, John Fogarty Con: J McInnes	Referee: A Kinnaird

	28 May	North Shore	7-16	Ponsonby	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: Bennetts Pen: Verdun Scott 2	[71]	Try: Brian Riley 2, Jack Campbell, Edgar Morgan Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: Roy Otto

Round 8

Papakura recorded their first ever win in the Fox Memorial competition with an 18–15 win over Manukau on Carlaw Park 2. Manukau were missing several of their best players who were on the New Zealand tour of Australia but still fielded a strong side. During the match Richard Burgess of Papakura fractured his left arm.^[72] Reginald Haslam was ordered off for Marist in their 13–7 win over Ponsonby. Ernie Pinches scored a try for Mt Albert in his first season for them. He had been born in England in 1914 before moving to New Zealand. He became well known for wrestling, holding the New Zealand light heavyweight title for 6 years in the 1950s. In the same decade he was elected to the Mt Roskill Borough Council. He was deputy mayor there from 1974 to 1987 and acting mayor from 1987 to 1988.

	4 June	Marist	13-7	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Halsey, James Chalmers, James Matthews Pen: Clive Murdoch, Donovan	[73]	Try: Clarrie Petersen Con: Frank Halloran Pen: Frank Halloran	Referee: A McIntosh

	4 June	Newton	11-10	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: R Taylor 2, W.B. McKenzie Con: A Duncan	[74]	Try: Bennetts 2 Pen: Verdun Scott 2	Referee: K McIvor

	4 June	Mount Albert	29-10	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Arthur McInnarney 3, Ernie Pinches, Ted Mincham, Richard Shadbolt, Joseph Gunning Con: A MacLachlan 2	[75]	Try: Arnold Porteous, Leslie Wehner Con: J Hutchinson Pen: J Hutchinson	Referee: A Lennie

	4 June	Papakura	18-15	Manukau	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: J McInnes, G Osborne, G Crocker, John Fogarty Con: J McInnes 3	[76]	Try: R Wilson 2, Mihaka Panapa Con: Tom Chase 2 Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: Jack Hawkes

Round 9

In the match between Papakura and Mount Albert, the Papakura player Dobbyn had his nose broken. He was able to return to play a week later however.

	11 June	Marist	6-2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: J Matthews, Donovan	[77]	Pen: Fredrick Sissons	Referee: Percy Rogers

	11 June	Ponsonby	13-5	Manukau	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Roy Nurse, Jack Campbell, P Young Pen: D Schroeder 2	[78]	Try: Pile Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: Frank Thompson

	11 June	Mount Albert	27-0	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Richard Shadbolt, C Dunne, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Arthur McInnarney, Black, Martin Hanson Con: Bert Leatherbarrow, Arthur McInnarney 2	[79]		Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	11 June	Richmond	19-3	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Roy Powell 2, Alf Broadhead 2, Hermes Hadley Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell	[80]	Try: Stanaway	Referee: H Tate

Round 10

The Papakura – Richmond match was played at Prince Edward Park in Papakura. The scores were level 10–10 in the second half when both A Burgess and G Crocker left the field injured leaving Papakura with just 11 players. Richmond went on to win 16–10.

	18 June	Mount Albert	10-8	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Francis List, Martin Hanson Con: A MacLachlan Pen: A MacLachlan	[81]	Try: Brown, Jack Campbell Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	18 June	Manukau	5-2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Kirkwood Con: Jack Broughton	[82]	Pen: Hill	Referee: Percy Rogers

	18 June	Marist	26-4	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Halsey, Clive Murdoch, J Matthews, J Woods, Vincent Bakalich, William Grotte Con: J Matthews 3 Pen: J Matthews 2	[83]	Pen: Verdun Scott 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	18 June	Papakura	10-16	Richmond	Prince Edward Park
	3:00	Try: P Herkt, A Burgess Con: J McInnes Pen: J McInnes	[84]	Try: Lyndsay Jack, Merv Devine, George Tittleton 2 Con: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: G Kelly

Round 11

	25 June	Ponsonby	19-13	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Brian Riley, Jack Campbell 2, Pat Young, Clarrie Petersen Con: D Schroeder Pen: W Dormer	[85]	Try: Laurie Mills, Hermes Hadley, Alf Broadhead Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell	Referee: Frank Thompson

	25 June	Mount Albert	18-13	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Martin Hanson 2, Jack Tristram, Bert Leatherbarrow Con: A MacLachlan 2 Pen: A MacLachlan	[86]	Try: R Taylor Pen: Fredrick Sissons 5	Referee: Jack Hawkes

	25 June	North Shore	37-7	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hammill 3, Verdun Scott 2, Jones 2, George Zane, Arthur Sowter Con: Dick Smith 5	[87]	Try: Jack Broughton Con: Tom Chase Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: A Pearson

	25 June	Papakura	9-8	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: E Cossey Con: E Cossey Pen: E Cossey, Wilson	[88]	Try: Leslie Wehner, Stanaway Con: Jackie Rata	Referee: A Simpson

Round 12

Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage was a guest of the Auckland Rugby League and came to Carlaw Park to watch some of the play. He was accompanied by president John .A. Lee and along with his party was "entertained at an afternoon tea organised by the ladies’ social committee". L Cootes of Ponsonby was ordered off for striking a City opponent. In the same match Turi Albert Macpherson broke his leg when he collided with a Ponsonby forward.

	2 July	Mount Albert	9-3	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Martin Hanson	[89]	Try: George Zane	Referee: Percy Rogers

	2 July	Newton	16-2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Ted Brimble, R Taylor, W McKenzie, Clem Procter Con: Fredrick Sissons 2	[90]	Pen: Frank Furnell	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	2 July	City	5-3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Bob Banham Con: Jackie Rata	[91]	Try: Brian Riley	Referee: S Billman

	2 July	Marist	24-3	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: J Matthews 3, William Grotte 2, Bill Breed, Donovan, Clive Murdoch	[92]	Try: Richard Shalfoon	Referee: O Chalmers

Round 13

During the Mount Albert – Marist game Arthur McInnarney and MacLachlan collided while trying to field a kick which allowed Marist to score a try giving them the lead. McInnarney had to leave the field with an injured leg as a result of the collision. In the Richmond game with North Shore six players had to leave the field with injuries. North Shore had to play two short in the second half. Dick Smith and Verdun Scott were amongst those who had to go off, along with Powell. During the week Richmond lost the services of Frank Furnell who transferred to Wellington. He was replaced at fullback by Trevor Bramley.

	9 July	Marist	14-8	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Halsey, J Woods 2, Kenneth Finlayson Con: James Chalmers	[93]	Try: Martin Hanson 2 Pen: A MacLachlan	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	9 July	Newton	13-9	City	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: R Taylor 2, Ted Brimble Pen: Fredrick Sissons 2	[94]	Try: Joseph Hapi Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Jack Hawkes

	9 July	Richmond	18-5	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Alf Broadhead 2, Lyndsay Jack, Alan Watkins Con: Trevor Bramley 2 Pen: Trevor Bramley	[95]	Try: Jones Con: Verdun Scott	Referee: Percy Rogers

	9 July	Ponsonby	11-6	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Brian Riley, Edgar Morgan, Pat Young Con: W Dormer	[96]	Pen: J McInnes 3	Referee: A Kinnaird

Round 14

	23 July	Mount Albert	11-3	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack Tristram, C Dunn, Richard Shadbolt Drop: A MacLachlan	[97]	Try: Merv Devine	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	23 July	Ponsonby	7-5	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Pat Young Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder	[98]	Try: Bennetts Con: Jack Smith	Referee: O Chalmers

	23 July	Marist	8-0	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Anderson 2 Con: John Anderson	[99]		Referee: G Kelly

	23 July	Manukau	18-4	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Jack Brodrick, T Whye, Freddie McGuire, Mahika Panapa Con: Jack Hemi 3	[100]	Pen: Jackie Rata	Referee: Roy Otto

Round 15

Laurie Mills (aged 20) was concussed in the Richmond – Manukau game and was taken to hospital. He would later be killed in action during World War 2.^[101] In the Marist game with City Bob Banham went off injured in the first half for City, while Jackie Rata and Jackson went off in the second half. Remarkably in the North Shore v Papakura match the referee was Ted Mincham who had spent the first half of the season playing for Mount Albert seniors. He would surely have been one of the only players ever to play and referee in the same competition during a season. He would however play senior football again for Richmond during the war years.

	30 July	Manukau	6-6	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Pen: Jack Hemi 3	[102]	Try: Laurie Mills, George Tittleton	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	30 July	Newton	7-3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Fredrick Sissons Con: Fredrick Sissons Pen: Fredrick Sissons	[103]	Try: Dormer	Referee: R Otto

	30 July	Marist	9-0	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Clive Murdoch, John Anderson, J Matthews	[104]		Referee: A Kinnaird

	30 July	North Shore	13-5	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Len Scott, Hamill, McIntosh Con: Verdun Scott 2	[105]	Try: Lindsay D Evans	Referee: Ted Mincham

Round 16

Richard Shadbolt was sent off for Mount Albert during the first half of their match with Manukau. They also lost C Dunne and A MacLachlan through injuries meaning that for nearly 30 minutes they had to play with just 10 men.

	6 August	Marist	32-4	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Gordon Midgeley 4, J Woods, John Anderson, Chalmers, Robert Grotte Con: John Anderson 4	[106]	Pen: Trevor Bramley 2	Referee: Percy Rogers

	6 August	Manukau	31-5	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Rangi Chase 3, Walter Brimble 2, T Whye, Angus Gault Con: Jack Hemi 3 Pen: Jack Hemi Drop: Jack Hemi	[107]	Try: Richard Shadbolt Pen: Martin Hanson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	6 August	North Shore	21-18	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Jones 2, H Simpson, Horace Hunt, Hammill Con: Verdun Scott 3	[108]	Try: Bob Banham, Stanaway, Joseph Hapi, John Magee Con: Stanaway, J Hutchinson Pen: Stanaway	Referee: Frank Thompson

	6 August	Newton	13-8	Papakura	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Jones, Steve Watene, R McKenzie Con: Fredrick Sissons 2	[109]	Try: Lindsay D Evans 2 Con: J McInnes	Referee: G Kelly

Round 17

The Auckland match against Canterbury was played on the same day at Carlaw Park with the club matches providing the curtain-raisers. Richmond and Manukau did not play on the day and the Auckland team was made exclusively from their teams. In the match between Mount Albert and City, Jack Tristram and Bob Banham were ordered off from each team respectively after an incident between them.

	13 August	Ponsonby	11-8	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Arthur Kay Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder 3	[110]	Try: Kenneth Finlayson 2 Pen: John Anderson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	13 August	Mount Albert	28-13	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Wilson 2, Clarry McNeil 2, Jack Tristram, Bert Leatherbarrow Con: Des Herring 3 Pen: Des Herring	[111]	Try: Bob Banham, John Magee, J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata Drop: Jackie Rata	Referee: Percy Rogers

	13 August	Newton	13-10	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Clem Proctor, D McKenzie, Lawson Con: Wilfred Brimble, Claude Dempsey	[112]	Try: Hammill, Bennetts Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith	Referee: Stuart Billman

Round 18

By virtue of their win over Newton, Marist claimed the Fox memorial title for 1938. Roy Hardgrave made an appearance for Mount Albert after recently returning to Auckland from his time playing professionally in England and France.^[113]

	20 August	Manukau	26-14	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Rangi Chase 2, Angus Gault 2, T Whye 2, Pile, Jack Brodrick Con: Jack Broughton	[114]	Try: Brian Riley 2, Clarrie Peterson, Carr Con: D Schroeder	Referee: A Simpson

	20 August	Marist	10-7	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Vincent Bakalich, John Anderson Con: John Anderson 2	[115]	Try: W McKenzie Con: Fredrick Sissons Pen: Fredrick Sissons	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	20 August	Richmond	24-10	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Keith Fletcher 3, Leo Davis 2, Wally Tittleton Con: Trevor Bramley 2, L Williams	[116]	Try: Bob Banham 2 Pen: J Hutchinson	Referee: Frank Thompson

	20 August	Mount Albert	44-12	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Des Herring 2, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Clarry McNeil, Joseph Gunning 2, Roy Hardgrave, Martin Hanson Con: Des Herring 5, W Walker Pen: Des Herring	[117]	Try: F Anderson, Lindsay D Evans Con: G Crocker, Reid Pen: Cooke	Referee: Roy Otto

Senior reserve competitions

The early round results were not reported while several later rounds also only had sporadic reporting. Richmond and Mount Albert were tied after 18 rounds necessitating a final between the two teams which Richmond won by 16 points to 10.

Senior B grade competitions

Other club matches and lower grades

Representative Fixtures

Auckland Māori (Tāmaki) representative season

Auckland Māori only played one match during the season. The club competition ran much longer than it had in previous seasons and the New Zealand side went on a mid season tour of Australia meaning that there were relatively few opportunities for representative matches. On June 6 they played an Auckland Pākehā side at Carlaw Park and won 26 to 21.

Annual general meetings and club news

• Auckland Rugby League Junior Management Committee At the junior control board annual meeting on March 8 Mr. D. Wilkie presided. The following board was elected: Messrs. W. Berger, E. Chapman, C. Howe, J. Stonex, A. Hopkinson, E. McNamara, D. Wilkie, F. Kennedy, R. Short.^[22] On April 12 at their board meeting they set April 22 as the final day for nominations for the junior grades with a tentative start date for games on April 30.^[193]

• Auckland Rugby League Referees Association held their annual meeting in early March. The retiring secretary Mr. Wilfred Simpson was made a life member of the association. The following officers were elected:- President, Mr. Les Bull; vice-president Mr. J.G. McCowatt; hon. secretary Mr. T.E. Skinner; treasurer Mr. A. Chapman; auditor Mr. Percy Rogers; delegates, A.R.L., Mr. M. Renton, N.Z. Referees’ Association Mr. Les Bull, representative grading committee, Messrs. Maurice Wetherill, Percy Rogers, R Otto.^[194] On March 28 at a meeting the Referees Association received a letter from the control board advising them that Mr. R.H. Benson had been reappointed as their representative on their board with Mr T. Davis as deputy.^[195] On April 4 M. Renton resigned as delegate to the junior management. He along with A. Sanders were then elected as the grading and examination committee with Les Bull nominated as third man on the appointments board, subject to approval by the control board.^[196] At their final meeting of the year on October 3 Percy Rogers announced that he was retiring from active refereeing. He thanked Messrs. Leslie Edgar Bull, McCowatt, and Arthur Ball. Tribute was paid to president Bull for "his able chairmanship and guidance in administrative matters". Thanks was also said to Messrs. A. McCowatt, William Mincham, J. Short, T.E. Skinner, and Arthur Rae.^[197] On the day of the Stormont Shield final which Percy Rogers refereed he was presented with a blazer. He had been a prominent referee for 16 years and refereed many international matches. Mr. F.H. Whitman who had cared for traveling teams was presented with a travelling outfit.
• Avondale League Football Club In June Avondale advised the ARL junior management board that it had decided to form a junior officers’ club, to collaborate with the Auckland Rugby League in "any matters for the good of the game".^[198] In late June the Avondale league clubs football ladies’ committee held a "highly successful" dance at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The dance hall and supper room were decorated in the club's colours.^[199] They held a dance at the Oddfellow's Hall in early October in honour of a visiting team from Whangarei. The venue was decorated in the colours of both clubs. The programme "consisted of new and old time dances and items from Māori members of the Northern team. The visitors were welcomed by the chairman, Mr. L. Hulhman, and Mr. Dunkley, secretary of the Northland league".^[200] On December 10 Avondale held their annual picnic at Tui Glen in Henderson with 150 present.^[201]

• City Rovers held a practice on March 12 at Carlaw Park. They were advertising for "vacancies for players in all grades, and applications are invited".^[202] They held their annual picnic on Motuihe Island on October 9, departing central Auckland at 9:30 on board the Baroona.^[203] Over 500 members and supporters attended. Trophies were presented to D. Hutchinson who was the most consistent player (C. Haynes’ Cup), and E. McCarthy for training attendance for the reserve grade side. E. Wehner and Jack Rata were tied for honours for senior training and general merit. Wehner received a medal from Mr. W. Johnson and Rata received the club medal. Their fourth grade team was presented with the G. Gillett Cup for winning the championship, and the Raynes Cup for the most club championship points. Other individual awards presented were: (Third Grade) First try of the season, J. Sullivan; most improved player, E. Grey; most improved uniform, A. Bain; control of fourth team, A. Mitchell. (Fifth Grade) most consistent player, R. Robinson; best behaved, Leslie Beehre. (Seventh grade) best back, J. Hubbard; best forward, E. Purdy; behaviour, L. Pell; most improved, J. Tuki; most improved forward, D. McCormack; and most consistent, J. Haora. Trophies were donated by Messrs. Morrison, Glover, F.H. Whitham, C.E. Johnston, Farley, B. Messenger, and W. Roff.^[204]

• Ellerslie United Rugby League Club held their annual meeting in early March. Their report made mention of the 3rd grade team which won the knock-out competition. The 4th grade side was runner-up in the championship, while the schoolboys seven-a-side team was only defeated once. They stated that they were in a "satisfactory financial position". Cups were presented to J. McArthur who was the best back in the club, and Ernie Pinches, the best forward. Both players were members of the 3rd grade team. The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. Arthur Osborne, M.P.; president, Mr. J. McInnarney; vice-presidents, Messrs, R.H. McIsaac, J. Court, A. Chapman, A. McKenzie, C. Clarke, Carver, Whelan, R. Cameron; club captain, Mr. F. Chapman; secretary and treasurer, Mr. George Whaley; auditors, J. Carr, O.D. Slye; committee, Messrs, J. Wilson (chairman), A. Strong, R. Hunter, A Tobin, S. Pemberton, C. Pemberton, R. Boss, C. Tucker, W. Miller, H. Thomas, H. Johnson, J. Pinches, M. Campbell.^[205] They held their annual picnic at Point England.^[206]

• Rugby league in Manurewa. On March 22 rugby league and rugby union both made claims to use the grounds at Jellicoe Park to the Manurewa Borough Council. Rugby league asked for use of the ground on alternate Saturdays for its 28 registered players in the area while rugby officials said "they were solely dependent upon the facilities for the 39 players on their books". The Mayor Mr. W.J. Ferguson said "he had hoped the two codes would have been able to arrange matters amicably. The council had to weigh equitably the claims of the community. It was decided to offer the codes equal use of the park and to make a charge of 10/6 each playing day. It was suggested that a senior match should be arranged for each Saturday".^[207]

• Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club held their annual meeting on March 10 at 7.45pm at the Auckland Rugby League Rooms.^[208] The club's secretary Mr. Joe Sayegh congratulated the senior team on their success after they missed out on the championship by one competition point, but won the Roope Rooster trophy and Stormont Shield. The balance sheet reportedly showed a "substantial credit balance". The following officers were elected:- Patron, His Lordship Bishop Liston; president, Mr. Joe Sayegh; vice-presidents, same as last year; secretary Jack Kirwan; honorary treasurer, Mr. P. Fletcher; committee, Messrs J. Ball, W. Maddigan, Fraser Hudson Webberley, George Copas, P. Hughes.^[209] On October 29 they held their annual prize giving with over 300 members and supporters present. ARL chairman, G. Grey Campbell presented the club with the Fox Memorial Shield, and the Thistle Cup for the most points in the second round. Individual and team prizes went to McLeod (most improved player), Stanaway (most conscientious at training), third grade: McWilliams and Hughes, sixth grade: Sydney Bracegirdle. R.L. Haslam was presented with a handbag in recognition of his services to the club. He had announced his retirement but club president Joe Sayegh said he hoped he would still be available for the following season. The club then issued its new official badges which were a shamrock with the title initials on green petals over a gold background.^[210]

• Manukau Rugby League Club In mid February, Manukau secured Pita Ririnui from Tauranga to play for them. He was a former rugby representative player who had played for the combined Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bay of Plenty against the Springboks in Gisborne in 1937. The South African captain Philip Nel had said that he was one of the best forwards that they had met on the tour of Australia and New Zealand. Ririnui was "6ft 1in in height, weighs 16st, and is 22 years of age". It was also reported that T, Kakau a sizeable rugby back was also moving to Auckland.^[211] A special meeting of players was to be held at Onehunga on February 28.^[212] They held practice matches against visiting teams from the Lower Waikato on March 26. Two junior sides would play teams from Ngaruawahia, while the senior team would play South Auckland (Waikato). The matches would be played at Waikaraka Park.^[213] In late November the council the Onehunga Borough Council turned down Manukau's application to lease Gloucester Park. The ground was formerly known as Geddes Basin and had been drained in 1934 before being transformed into a sports ground. It had laid idle for three years. Mr. N.A. Ching wrote to the council on behalf of the Manukau club offering to lease the ground for 10 years at a rental of £25 a year with the right of further renewal, and a further £25 a year if the lease of a cottage was included. They also undertook to spend "at least £100 a year on improvements and buildings". However Mr. W.J. Moore of the council was of the opinion that "it was inadvisable at the present time to grant a lease of Gloucester Park, in view of its future potentialities, and on his motion this course was adopted.^[214][215]

• Mount Albert United Rugby League Football Club Their annual meeting was held on February 28. The club was reported to be in a "sound financial position". There were a number of new players registering with the club which indicated "a very successful season" on offer. It was decided to begin training immediately. The following officers were elected:- Patron, the mayor of Mount Albert; vice-patron, Mr. Arthur Shapton Richards, M.P.; president, Mr. A.C. Gallagher; vice-presidents, same as last year with power to add; hon. secretary, Mr. H.G. Shaw; hon. treasurer, Mr. William Edmund Schultz; club captain, Mr. F. Martin, hon. auditor, Mr. S.C. Johnston.^[216] In mid October they held their annual prize giving at the Manchester Unity Hall. Prizes were given to best club schoolboy, I. Garrett; best club member (annual), C. Allan; schoolboy coaching services, A. Jenkinson. Senior grade: Most improved player, A. McLaughlan; most consistent forward, Richard Seddon Shadbolt, reserve grade: back, C. Renton; forward (annual), C. Callinan; annual 100 yards championship for C. Elwin Memorial Cup, and for coaching services, Claude List; goal kicking, E. Cranch; consistent forward, F. List, Third grade: Best all-rounder, M Haswell; back, J Mens; forward, W. Stewart; improved player A. Chiswell. Fifth grade: back, W. Carter; good conduct, James Seath; improved back, R. Hogan; improved forward, P. Lenihan, Schoolboys: Improved player, N. Clark: best dressed (seven-a-side), D. Greenhalgh: coaching services, N. Lake.^[217]

• Newton Rangers Football Club It was reported in July that former player Roy Hardgrave was returning to New Zealand after playing for York and Toulouse.^[218] J. Lee, an Australian was taken on as their senior coach.^[219]

• North Shore Albions held their annual meeting on March 9 at the Labour Hall in Devonport at 8pm.^[208]
• Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers Football Club were granted the use of Stafford Park on "the usual terms to the Northcote Ramblers League Football Club for matches and practice".^[220] On June 28 at the meeting of the junior management committee they read a letter from Northcote advising that their secretary, Mr. Andrew Borrows was having to resign owing to his departure from Auckland. Mr. J. Evans had been appointed in his place.^[221] On August 23 Northcote asked for permission to send their senior B team to visit Whangarei the following Saturday.^[222]

• Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club Otahuhu elected the following officers at its annual meeting in early March: Patron, Mr. H.F. Clements; president, Mr. C Hill; last years vice presidents were re-appointed with additions hon. secretary Owen McManus; treasurer C.F. Clarke; committee Messrs W. Clinton, W. Gordon, C. Dunne, C. Kelly, A Porteous, W. Hart, I Auckram, A. Pond; captains, Messrs R. Roud and B. McDonald. Their report stated that the third and fifth grades won their respective titles and were runners up in the knockout competitions. While the schoolboys team was runner up in its grade".^[223] In late March Otahuhu applied for permission to train on Sturges Park on Thursday evenings to the Otahuhu Borough Council. The Otahuhu Rugby Club applied for permission to train at Sturges Park on Tuesday and Thursday nights and to be able to use the ground on Saturday afternoons until the season opened. The matter was referred to the parks committee.^[224] In mid August John Nicholson passed away aged 80. He was the president of Otahuhu for many years.^[225] Otahuhu nominated a team to enter the Roope Rooster competition in August. They also asked to stage a special match as a benefit for the Otahuhu Free Kindergarten.^[222] As the draw had already been made for the Roope Rooster competition the league suggested they nominate a team for the Stallard Cup which was competed for by the senior reserve teams.^[226]

• Papakura Rugby League Football Club At their annual meeting on March 3 they made special note of the excellent record of their senior side which won the senior B grade. They only lost one match out of 18 and won the Foster Memorial Shield, the Sharman Cup, and the Walmsley Shield. Their membership for 1937 totalled 133 with 12 honorary members which was a record for the club. Mr. R. Walsh presented the balance sheet which showed that the club had a credit balance of £117 1s 3d which was £30 more than the year before despite having some heavy expenses including £83 for transport. The club patron, Mr. H.A. Pollock presented the club with a new set of jerseys. The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. Hugh Arnold Pollock; president, Mr. L. McVeigh; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. Chamberlain, William James Davidson Jack, Sydney Herbert Godden, Francis Verner; treasurer, R. Walsh; club captain, F. Osborne; auditor, J. Beans; committee, Messrs, A. McDonald, G. Wilson, William Cornthwaite, P. Hammond, V. Ashby, I. Wilson, Norman Widdowson, E. Searle, J. Ansley; grounds committee, A. Schawtfeger, J. McVeigh, R. Bates, F. Barnes, F. Maddren, D. Watts.^[227] Papakura applied for the use of Prince Edward Park for the season. The Papakura Board granted use of the park until its term expired, and advised the club to make an application again to the new borough council, for definite terms of tenure and rental.^[228] At the Papakura Town Board meeting Mr. D. Weir said "we should definitely give the club an incentive to do something for itself at Prince Edward Park by allowing it to have a longer lease of say a few years if that could be arranged".^[229] On the 11th of April the Papakura Board granted the use of Prince Edward Park and its floodlighting for the football season.^[230] The Papakura club invited Frank Osborne, their club captain to stand as an independent candidate for the Papakura Borough Council. He was employed at the time as an engine driver for New Zealand Railways. He was also the president of the Amateur Athletic Club.^[231] It was reported Papakura had a strong connection with athletics through its players. The New Zealand Herald stated that "C. Osborne, one of the three-quarters, has built up a fine athletic record this season, competing at meetings conducted by the Papakura, Manurewa, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu and Pukekohe clubs. J. Fogarty and D. Evans, two well-built forwards, whose stamina and speed impressed on Saturday, have also had successes at these meetings. T.R. Burgess has been prominent in the Otahuhu Clubs events during the past two years, while Ewan Cossey, the halfback, has been placed in 100 yards events at Papakura in the past month.^[232] They notified the league that in early July Messrs. Sydney Herbert Godden and A. Schwartfeger had replaced Messrs E. Searle, and H. Widdowson respectively on its executive.^[233] In October Papakura celebrated their season at the Windsor Theatre with officials from the Auckland Rugby League and members of the Eastern Suburbs touring side.^[234] On November 27, Papakura held their third annual picnic with 500 in attendance at Mr. J. McNicol's property at Clevedon.^[235]

• Point Chevalier League Football Club They were granted permission to hold a club day at Walker Park on June 25 where all their teams would play there. The day was in aid of the St John Ambulance Association.^[236]

• Ponsonby United Football Club They held their annual meeting on February 28. Their report stated that the success of their junior teams was "outstanding" with the schoolboy intermediate team winning the championship by scoring 304 points and having none registered against it". They also listed their nine senior players who gained representative honours. They thanked their president Mr. A. Adams for donating medals and caps to the schoolboys team while a trophy donated by Mr. A. Barnett was awarded to Frank Halloran for the best sportsman in the club. The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. W. Grant; president Mr. J. Arnell; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Grieves; hon. treasurer, Mr. L. Adams.^[237]

• Richmond Rovers Football Club held their 24th annual meeting in the Gaiety Hall in Grey Lynn on March 3 with Mr. B.W. Davis presiding before a "large attendance". At the opening of the meeting he requested that they stand in silence as a mark of respect to their patron, the late Mr. W.J. Holdsworth. Their report was satisfied with the club's success with ten grade teams and a seven-a-side Richmond was successful in winning the senior, senior reserve, 4th grade, and senior school championships. They once again won the Davis Points Shield which was open to all clubs for the most aggregate points in the junior grades. Mr. Ralph Jenkinson spoke about the various teams and then awarded the Harry Johns Memorial Cup to the senior reserve team. It was presented to their manager Mr. J. McGregor and their captain Mr. M. Metcalfe. The club also congratulated Harold Tetley, Wally Tittleton, Noel Bickerton, Jack Satherley, Jack McLeod, and George Mitchell on gaining New Zealand representative honours. The club was reported to be in a sound financial position. They elected the following officers:- Patron, Mr. J. Redwood; senior president, Mr. B.W. Davis; chairman, Mr. W.A. Swift; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W.R. Dick; delegate to primary schools’ management committee, Mr. E.J. McCarthy; club captain, Mr. Ralph Jenkinson, auditor, Mr. J.A. Redwood.^[238] Richmond held their annual picnic at Tui Glen in Henderson on December 11 with "about 450 members and friends attending". K. Fletcher was presented with the Warnock Points Shield for the year, while caps were presented to players in the championship winning sides which included the senior reserve team, the third grade, seventh grade, senior schoolboys and intermediate schoolboys.^[239]

Senior grade registration and transfers

On March 3 the following players were registered: Ian Mackenzie (ex King Country), and H.P.S. Walker (ex Queensland) to Mount Albert. Pita Ririnui and T Ririnui (Tauranga) and T Kakau to Manukau, and Ronald Beaumont Chesterman to North Shore Albions.^[223] On March 29 fifty new registrations were received while William Caples transferred from Point Chevalier to City Rovers seniors, and Ernie Pinches from Ellerslie to Mount Albert seniors.^[240] Twenty six player registrations were approved on March 30 with P Young being transferred from Newton Rangers to Ponsonby and J.J. Campbell formerly of Hikurangi being reinstated.^[5] Then on March 31 G.E. King of Newton Rangers transferred to Huntly, and Noel Messenger also of Newton transferred to Greymouth on the West Coast.^[241]

On April 6 R.A. Lush transferred from Richmond to Ponsonby reserves. J. Fraser had his transfer cleared from Western Suburbs, New Plymouth to Ponsonby. While Robert John Blakely, Thos Kelly, and Arthur Samuel Slater were reinstated. On April 13 William V.R. Smith transferred from Newton to North Shore, F Butler from Newton to Marist, Patrick Costello from Manukau senior reserves to North Shore, Thos Kelly from Manukau to Papakura, E. McNeil from Richmond to Ponsonby, Norm Campbell (player-coach) from Marist to Papakura, J.E. Pyke from Point Chevalier to Manukau, and J. Campbell from Point Chevalier to Ponsonby. J Hilton of South Auckland was cleared to play for Newton, W.G. Johnson (South Auckland to Newton), C. Preston (West Coast to Marist), E. Jones from Northland to Newton. I.N. Ibbertson was reinstated and transferred from Glenora senior B to Ponsonby.^[14] On April 19 Alan Jabez Watkins transferred from Mount Albert to Richmond, G Crocker transferred from Marist to Papakura and T Maher from R.V. senior B to City. Clarry McNeil had a clearance confirmed from Wellington to Mount Albert.^[242] On April 27 D.F. Harris was reinstated and transferred to Otahuhu.^[243]

On May 4 the following players were granted transfers:- R.P. Tatana, Manukau to City; A.J. Couper, Richmond senior B to Ponsonby seniors; R. McGreal, Marist to Ngaruawahia; Daniel Hourigan, Newton to Ponsonby; Arthur McInnarney, Ellerslie to Mount Albert. While J. Blackledge was cleared from Wellington to Auckland where he would join Northcote.^[244] On May 11 Steve Watene was transferred from Manukau to his old club, City Rovers, and a week later to Newton Rangers, while H.J. Collins was transferred from Newton to Mount Albert and C. Wilson from Marist reserves to Papakura.^[23] On May 18 G. Greenwood was transferred from Mount Albert to Richmond, and S Bickerton transferred from Mount Albert to Newton.^[17] On May 25 W. Mallinson from Waiutu, West Coast joined Manukau. C Meyer, the Northland representative player and brother of ex-international Ted Meyer applied to join the Papakura club. M.T. Nicholas was registered with Manukau and F. Anderson with Papakura.^[245][246]

On June 1 C Philp transferred from Manukau to Green Lane while B.F. Lee of Toowoomba transferred to Auckland to play for Newton pending approval from the New Zealand Council. Russell Harris was reinstated to Otahuhu.^[247] On June 22 F.J. Halpin (ex-Manawatu) and C. Greenwood (with clearance from Manukau) were registered with Newton, while Vincent Axman was registered with North Shore with clearance from City. W.W. Philp and Owen Noel Beer were reinstated. W. Cuff was transferred from Newton to Mount Albert.^[6] On June 29 L. Bramble (ex-Central Club in Wellington) was registered with the Newton club. W.L. Dorman transferred from Point Chevalier Senior B to Ponsonby. C.J. Montgomery was reinstated.^[248]

On July 7 Edgard Herbert Mervyn Tredrea transferred from Richmond 3rd grade to Newton.

On July 13 H.J. Collins was transferred from Manukau to Mount Albert, and W. Stockley from Ponsonby to Northcote. While F.J. Wells was registered with Ponsonby, C. Meredith with North Shore, and R. McInnarney with Mount Albert. On July 19 J. W. Stockley and F Halloran transferred from Ponsonby seniors to Northcote Senior B.^[249] On July 27 A Beyer, the former representative player from Northland, was regraded and transferred from Richmond to Ellerslie. He admitted to the committee that he had made an application to rugby to be reinstated but was refused.^[218] On August 9 T. Thompson was transferred from Manukau reserves to Ellerslie senior B. On August 17 R Jones was regraded to senior B and transferred to Otahuhu while J. Greenwood was reinstated to play for Richmond. On August 24 Roy Hardgrave was registered with Mount Albert, F Whittle to City, and Paul Meyer to North Shore.^[250]

On September 7 C. Ericksen was registered with Marist, W. Walker with Papakura (subject to a clearance from Taranaki), and G Rowlands from Newcastle in Australia to the City club, subject to approval by the New Zealand Council. A.J. Dufty was transferred from Point Chevalier second grade to City reserves.^[251]

References